Reduce dall’incontro Global Progressive Mobilisation- GPM del 17/18 aprile, in poche parole Pia Locatelli, riassume l’atmosfera di fervore che c’era stata a Barcellona. Punto di riferimento nel PSI, ex membro del Psi presso il parlamento europeo e presidente onoraria dell’Internazionale Socialista Donne. Partiti socialisti, progressisti, democratici e movimenti di sinistra di vario genere si sono radunati e sentiti risvegliare dal lungo ‘torpore’ dell’incertezza. Due considerazioni: vi è stata la consapevolezza che i progressisti devono essere più uniti nel far fronte alle sfide del mondo (lasciate ultimamente in mano alle destre). Vi è anche una necessità di distinguersi nel comunicare problemi spesso banalizzati dai movimenti di destra ma che in realtà vanno comunicati in maniera più chiara (pur nella loro reale complessità) ai cittadini. (Sarebbe da aggiungere, che non sempre le attese riportate come vittorie dai conservatori al governo in termini di crescita, sicurezza, lavoro, e conti pubblici sono poi così brillanti). Pensandoci bene, l’evento calza questo momento storico. Diventa un po’ un gioco di luci e ombre. La sensazione è quella di ritrovarsi nella Repubblica di Platone e l’allegoria della caverna. Si guardano le ombre proiettate e si ascoltano gli echi dentro la caverna (la percezione ‘virtuale’ della realtà) piuttosto che guardare il mondo l’esterno. Lì dove risiede la verità. Non conoscendo ‘altro’ si dà per scontato che le ombre e gli echi rappresentino il reale, quindi la verità. Tuttavia, il mondo esterno, per quanto abbagliante, complesso e doloroso, rappresenta le forme e le idee mentre la caverna è una realtà effimera e artefatta. Tornare dalla realtà esterna e far ragionare, usando il pensiero critico al di là delle apparenze, le persone nella caverna, si rischia di essere presi in giro. I soliti sognatori che cercano spazi di transizione nella solitudine delle masse. In buona sostanza, a Barcellona vi è stata una sorta di risveglio dalla caverna. GPM si è posta una missione. Un insieme di diversità, generazioni e movimenti, sono andati oltre i propri confini, con Mamdani che vi ha partecipato in videoconferenza. La delegazione italiana del PSI era composta dal Segretario Enzo Maraio, Bobo Craxi (segreteria nazionale), Silvano Del Duca (ufficio presidenza PSE), Gaetano Amatruda (ufficio comunicazione) e la stessa Pia Locatelli (responsabile Esteri). La proposta del PSI, come ribadito da Maraio sull’Avanti, è quella di organizzare (anche in Italia) gli Stati Generali Riformisti con al centro alcuni pilastri: sicurezza, sostegno alle imprese e tutela delle famiglie. Inoltre, viene ribadita l’importanza del diritto internazionale e della pace visti gli attacchi alle democrazie da parte di stati autocratici. Ciò rappresenta un punto di partenza, una piattaforma condivisa dei riformisti. Si è discusso della necessità improrogabile di riformare le Nazioni Uniti per una global governance più giusta ed efficace nell’affrontare le attuali crisi climatiche, pandemiche e di conflitto. I progressisti si sono uniti, nonostante differenze e difficoltà, nel proclamare in modo convinto che pace, coesistenza, uguaglianza, democrazia e cooperazione non sono degli ideali ormai fuori moda ma rappresentino invece le fondamenta del futuro progresso sociale. Quindi sul tavolo anche minoranze etniche/religiose, i rischi legati all’IA, le diseguaglianze socioeconomiche, lavoro e parità di genere. GPM è come una cannuccia in un bicchier d’acqua. Sembra curvarsi e quasi spezzarsi a causa della rifrazione della luce, ma non è così. Se gli occhi vedono grazie alla luminosità, i cuori e le menti si illuminano grazie alla reale speranza di contribuire a un mondo migliore.

AVANTI PSI A BARCELLONA

AVANTI PSI A BARCELLONA

Fresh from the Barcellona GPM Forum, Pia Locatelli Gives Us the UpdatesRecently back from the summit in Barcellona (17/18 April), Pia Locatelli gives us a fresh general update in a few words. Locatelli is a political reference in the Italian Socialist party- ex MP and honorary president of the International Socialist Women Movement. Socialist, progressive, and democratic parties, and various left-wing movements gathered and felt ‘awakened’ from the long slumber of uncertainty. Key notions: unity and good communication. Above all, there was a recognition that progressives must stand united in voicing out when addressing the world’s challenges. Lately these issues have been left in the hands of the right-wing movements. There’s also the need to better communicate issues that are often trivialized by conservatives, but which really need to be communicated more clearly (despite their true complexity) to citizens. (It’s worth adding that the expectations reported as victories by the Conservative governments in terms of growth, security, employment, and public finances are not always as brilliant as claimed).Thinking about it, the event fits this historical moment; it’s a sort of a play on light and shadow. The feeling is that of finding ourselves in Plato’s Republic and the allegory of the cave. We look at the cast shadows and listen to the echoes inside the cave (the ‘virtual’ perception of reality) rather than looking at the outside world. There, where the truth lies. Not knowing any better, we take it for granted that the shadows and echoes represent reality, and therefore the truth. However, the outside world, so dazzling, complex, and painful, represents forms and ideas, while the cave is an ephemeral and artificial reality. Returning from the outside world and trying to reason with the people in the cave, using critical thinking beyond appearances, one risks getting treated as a fool. The usual dreamers looking for transition space within solitude among many.In short, Barcelona witnessed a sort of awakening from the cave. GPM has set itself a mission. A diverse mix of generations and movements has transcended its borders, as witnessed by Mamdani via video conference. The Italian Socialist delegation was represented by E. Maraio (party secretary), B. Craxi, G.Amatruda, S. Del Duca and P. Locatelli herself. These were the national party members representing PSE, foreign policy and communication. The PSI’s proposal, as reiterated by Maraio on the pages of Avanti, is to organize (in Italy as well) the Reformist General States, and that he said be centered on several pillars: security, support for businesses, and protection of families. Furthermore, the importance of international law and peace is reaffirmed, given the attacks by autocratic states on democracies. These issues represent a starting point, a shared platform for reformists.Progressives discussed the need to reform the United Nations, which can no longer be postponed, for a more just and effective global governance in addressing the current climate, pandemic, and conflict crises. Progressives united, despite differences and difficulties, firmly proclaiming that peace, coexistence, equality, democracy, and cooperation are not outdated ideals but rather represent the foundations of future social progress. Also under study: protection of ethnic and religious minorities, gender equality, labor, AI-related risks and socio-economic inequality.GPM is like a straw in a glass of water. It appears to bend and almost break due to the refraction of light, but this is not the case. If eyes see thanks to light, hearts and minds light up through reality, in the hope of contributing to a better world.

Fresh from the Barcellona GPM Forum, Pia Locatelli Gives Us the Updates

Recently back from the summit in Barcellona (17/18 April), Pia Locatelli gives us a fresh general update in a few words. Locatelli is a political reference in the Italian Socialist party- ex MP and honorary president of the International Socialist Women Movement. Socialist, progressive, and democratic parties, and various left-wing movements gathered and felt ‘awakened’ from the long slumber of uncertainty. Key notions: unity and good communication. Above all, there was a recognition that progressives must stand united in voicing out when addressing the world’s challenges. Lately these issues have been left in the hands of the right-wing movements. There’s also the need to better communicate issues that are often trivialized by conservatives, but which really need to be communicated more clearly (despite their true complexity) to citizens. (It’s worth adding that the expectations reported as victories by the Conservative governments in terms of growth, security, employment, and public finances are not always as brilliant as claimed).

Thinking about it, the event fits this historical moment; it’s a sort of a play on light and shadow. The feeling is that of finding ourselves in Plato’s Republic and the allegory of the cave. We look at the cast shadows and listen to the echoes inside the cave (the ‘virtual’ perception of reality) rather than looking at the outside world. There, where the truth lies. Not knowing any better, we take it for granted that the shadows and echoes represent reality, and therefore the truth. However, the outside world, so dazzling, complex, and painful, represents forms and ideas, while the cave is an ephemeral and artificial reality. Returning from the outside world and trying to reason with the people in the cave, using critical thinking beyond appearances, one risks getting treated as a fool. The usual dreamers looking for transition space within solitude among many.

In short, Barcelona witnessed a sort of awakening from the cave. GPM has set itself a mission. A diverse mix of generations and movements has transcended its borders, as witnessed by Mamdani via video conference. The Italian Socialist delegation was represented by E. Maraio (party secretary), B. Craxi, G.Amatruda, S. Del Duca and P. Locatelli herself. These were the national party members representing PSE, foreign policy and communication. The PSI’s proposal, as reiterated by Maraio on the pages of Avanti, is to organize (in Italy as well) the Reformist General States, and that he said be centered on several pillars: security, support for businesses, and protection of families. Furthermore, the importance of international law and peace is reaffirmed, given the attacks by autocratic states on democracies. These issues represent a starting point, a shared platform for reformists.

Progressives discussed the need to reform the United Nations, which can no longer be postponed, for a more just and effective global governance in addressing the current climate, pandemic, and conflict crises. Progressives united, despite differences and difficulties, firmly proclaiming that peace, coexistence, equality, democracy, and cooperation are not outdated ideals but rather represent the foundations of future social progress. Also under study: protection of ethnic and religious minorities, gender equality, labor, AI-related risks and socio-economic inequality.

GPM is like a straw in a glass of water. It appears to bend and almost break due to the refraction of light, but this is not the case. If eyes see thanks to light, hearts and minds light up through reality, in the hope of contributing to a better world.

© Avanti!